McKenna named CCM/AHL Player of the Week

March 25, 2013

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. ... The American Hockey League announced today that Peoria Rivermen goaltender Mike McKenna has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Mar. 24, 2013.

McKenna made four starts last week and stopped 127 of 132 shots, going 3-1-0 and defeating a pair of division leaders to keep the Rivermen in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race.

McKenna began the week with 25 saves to help Peoria to a 4-1 win over Midwest Division-leading Grand Rapids on Tuesday night. After stopping 33 shots, including a late penalty shot attempt, and allowing just two goals in a 3-1 loss at Milwaukee on Friday, McKenna came back on Saturday with a 33-save effort in a 3-0 win over Chicago, his third shutout in a nine-game span. And making his third start in less than 48 hours, McKenna made 36 saves in regulation and overtime and stopped four of five shootout attempts as the Rivermen edged Toronto, the first-place team from the North Division, 3-2.

McKenna has appeared in 32 games for Peoria this season, posting a record of 17-13-1 and ranking fifth in the AHL with a .924 save percentage to go with his 2.32 goals-against average and three shutouts. An eighth-year pro from St. Louis, Mo., McKenna has a career record of 108-98-13 with 11 shutouts in 237 AHL games. Originally drafted by Nashville in 2002, McKenna has appeared in 17 National Hockey League contests with Tampa Bay and New Jersey, and signed as a free agent with his hometown Blues on July 1, 2012.

In recognition of his achievement, McKenna will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Rivermen home game.